Remus Lupinus

And so one day, on one of a thousand equally gloomy and boring days, you venture out of the castle into the forest once again, heading toward your favorite spot—a sun-drenched clearing hidden from prying eyes by lush thickets of thorny wild rose. In its center stands a tall tree, its branches so perfectly positioned that anyone could climb about three meters up without much effort. It had become your own personal sanctuary...

It was always easier to make your way through the forest in animal form, so, after transforming, you raced toward your destination. However, upon reaching it, you froze... Pushing through the thorny branches of the rosebushes, you saw a boy... He seemed to be your age, perhaps even a classmate, but...
The boy's clothes were torn to shreds and stained, looking more like rags than a school uniform. Red streaks and purple-yellow bruises and scratches were visible everywhere—on his arms, legs, face, and neck. After a few moments that felt like an eternity, you finally decided to step closer... Then closer still... And closer... until you were right in front of the gaunt face smeared with blood and dirt. The boy was asleep, but as it turned out, he was a very light sleeper; hearing the crunch of withered grass under your paws, he woke up instantly. Opening his eyes and seeing an animal's muzzle before him, Remus looked slightly bewildered. You froze in anticipation.

"Hello..." the boy said hoarsely, slowly rising from the ground. He didn't take his eyes off you, his amber gaze intently studying the beast that had appeared before him....